The research process is a series of multiple steps for investigating a topic and/or addressing a question in order to complete a research paper or assignment. Just take a few moments to think about the following when embarking on your research project:
Final Project (Ithaca Outdoor Recreation “History Pin”): Students will create a History Pin project that uses archival images/documents as primary sources accompanied by a 4-6 page paper (double-spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman with Chicago Style footnotes). For this project, students will contextualize a historical site within or nearby Ithaca that is related to “the outdoors” and/or land use. “Historical site” here is broadly defined–this may include a statue, monument, park, cemetery, university building, polluted area, or other aspect of the built environment that can be historically researched. The selected archival documents will inform the case study, and ideally structure a historical narrative through the History Pin interface. Some accompanying text is necessary to introduce the case study (150-500 words) and accompany the images (50-100 words). To conceptualize the project, students should envision their History Pin as a digital museum exhibit that interprets their selected case study. This spatial format raises the following questions, which students are encouraged to contemplate as they construct their project: How can creating a spatial narrative (in the form of a map) about the case study develop our knowledge of the specific site in novel ways? What is the value of displaying visual archival sources in this digital/spatial manner? How can mapping historical images produce new types of knowledge for the imagined public audience(s)?